Next Door Neighbor

CHAPTER 19: ATTACKED

TW: Violence

STEPHANIE'S POV:
Lance walks up to us. He uses his gun to gesture that Spencer should move away. Spencer stands his ground. "Move." Lance hisses. Spencer doesn't move. Lance uses the butt of the gun to hit Spencer. He falls to the ground with a grunt. I let out a short scream. Spencer stands up, a bruise already forming on his cheek. "Other side of the room." Lance orders, the gun still pointed at me. Spencer moves, anger and fear written on his face.

Lance roughly grabs my chin, forcing me to look up at him. "Get your hands off of her!" Spencer yells. Lance ignores him. "You're even more beautiful up close. I can't wait to have some fun with you." He says. My blood runs cold. I can feel my heart beating, thumping in my ears. "If you touch a hair on her head, I swear to-" Spencer shouts, but Lance cuts him off. "I believe I'm the one with the gun, not you, so I would advise you to SHUT THE HELL UP." he yells.

I shrink back from him, pushing myself against the cement wall. "Spencer. Walk over to the chains." Lance says. Spencer doesn't move, so Lance pushes the gun against my head. Spencer moves. Lance looks at me and hands me a key. "Tie him up." He orders. I walk over, shaking. "I'm so sorry, Spencer." I whisper as I restrain him. "It's okay. We're going to be fine." He replies. I wish I could believe him. Lance pulls me away from Spencer, out of his reach. His eyes roam over me.

He ties the chains around my wrists, keeping me from moving. "I'm sorry I have to do this, but it's for your own safety." he mumbles. I pull at the chains but to no avail. Lance walks over to Spencer and stares him down. Then his fist is flying towards Spencer's face.

When Spencer falls to the floor, my heart stops in my chest. Lance buries his foot in his stomach and he cries out. "No! Stop! Please!" I beg, pulling against my chains, the manacles cutting into my wrists. He ignores me. He kicks him again and he grunts. His face is contorted in pain. No. This can't be happening.

Lance grabs Spencer by the back of his shirt and pulls him up. He punches his jaw, his head snapping back. "Please! Take me, hurt me, leave him alone!" I plead, my wrists cut from pulling at my chains. He doesn't stop. He keeps hitting him, punching him, kicking him. Every time he cries out, my heart breaks more. My voice is raw from screaming at him to stop. I have tears running down my face. Seeing the man I love lying there, bleeding and so pale he looks dead, I feel broken.

Lance grabs Spencer by his arms and half drags half carries him closer to me. The chains just allow us to touch. He tosses him at me like a piece of trash, his body limp. I catch him and gently lower him to the ground, laying his head in my lap. His head lolls to the side. I hug him close to me, bruises already forming on his face. He has blood running down her cheek from a cut. His shirt and jeans are stained with blood, soaking into the fabric. I would think he was dead if I didn't see the faint rise and fall of his chest.

"You don't have to do this. Please. I'll stay with you, just let him go. I'm begging you." I cry out. Lance shakes his head. "He has to be punished. You'll come to understand." he leaves without another word. Spencer starts to stir. "Hey. Hey, I'm right here." I murmur.

He opens his eyes and looks at me. He tries to sit up but falls, groaning in pain. I catch him and lift him up a bit, so his head is leaning against my chest. "I'm so sorry Spencer. This is all my fault. You wouldn't be here if it wasn't for me. I'm so, so sorry." I sob, another tear falling down my face. He lifts her hand and wipes the tear away.

"It's not your fault, Steph." He chokes out. "Yes, it is! If we had never met, you would be safe!" I shout. "Stephanie, no matter what happens, I will forever be glad that we met. If I had never met you, my life would be empty. I love you, and nothing will ever change that." He tells me. I hold him close. I wish I could stop this.